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Phoenix residents cite experience, city involvement in voting choices

By Maria Polletta, The Arizona Republic

Phoenix residents steadily showed up to the city's 26 voting centers Tuesday, taking advantage of lunch breaks and work lulls to decide the fate of five Phoenix City Council seats and the mayor's office on the last day of voting.

By 11 a.m., more than 133,000 people had cast their ballots, with roughly 124,000 of them voting early via mail-in ballots.

Jean Hogg, 67, said she had waited until the last day to vote to give herself enough time to make an educated decision.

"Last night at 10 o'clock, I went through information on all the candidates," Hogg said, after voting late Tuesday morning at the Broadway Heritage Resource Center in south Phoenix.

John Inman, 63, who voted at the same center, said he wanted to vote in person because it builds his confidence in the integrity of the voting system.

Most voters were able to move quickly through polling stations, with some getting in and out within minutes.

Alicia Cybulski, 28, stopped by the Burton Barr Central Library in downtown Phoenix at lunchtime to quickly drop off her ballot. Despite "a lot of new faces in the game," she said it was "pretty easy to decide" her top candidates.

Retiree John Bruce voted at the Desert West Community Center in west Phoenix about 10 a.m. He, too, said his choices were "clear-cut." He wouldn't comment on his pick for mayor but said he'd be "glad for a change" when it came to replacing incumbent Phil Gordon.

Dutch Schultz, who voted at the Devonshire Senior Center in east Phoenix, agreed. Schultz, like many other voters interviewed by The Arizona Republic, cited experience, involvement in the city and ties to the community as factors in his selection for mayor.

"We need someone who knows the (local) issues," Schultz said. "Someone not from here? Eight times out of 10, they don't really know what's going on."

Others selected the candidates they thought would best address the issues most important to them.

Maria Ramirez, 53, who voted at the Desert West Community Center, said she'd "like more help for the elderly." Ramirez voted for mayoral candidate Claude Maddox because he "makes his points clear," she said.

Ahwatukee resident Deborah Shoftner, 62, voted for mayoral candidate Greg Stanton because "he was our councilman for a lot of years, and I think he does a good job."

Campaign volunteers were on hand at several locations, thanking people for their votes as they filtered out of voting centers.

Volunteers Chase Williams, 20, supporting Stanton, and Sophie Zelman, 28, backing mayoral hopeful Wes Gullett, talked to voters in front of the Pecos Community Center in Ahwatukee. Williams said he found the steady voter turnout at the center encouraging.

"There's been a car pulling up every time someone leaves," he said. "When you knock on doors and make phone calls for so long, when people don't turn out to vote, it's really frustrating," he said.

ANNA BRENNAN, 51.

Brennan is one of the latecomers to the mayor's race. She has little traditional political experience, but says most of what she knows about politics comes from "hands-on experience" as a homeowner and business owner. The Biltmore-area resident spent six years of her life fighting a zoning case that eventually allowed a maintenance yard for the Adobe and Links golf courses near her home. When she lived in Milwaukee, she owned a restaurant where she said she ran into regulatory burdens from the government. "I've dealt enough with city government to know that they've taxed you to the point where you just want to shut the door and say, 'Why bother?' " She is married to Michael Brennan and has four kids. She manages her husband's medical practice and represents an Italian winery. http://annabrennanformayor.voterspace.com/

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THANE EICHENAUER, 43.

Has lived in Phoenix for less than a year, recently moving from Tempe. He was born in Glendale and was raised in Tempe. Single. Worked in tech support for ASAP Staffing. Now a freelance chess tutor. Ran as the Libertarian Party candidate for state treasurer in 2010. Ran for Congress in District 1 in 2008.Keeping campaign on a grass-roots level, but probably even more so than Stanton. Eichenauer considers himself the underdog in the race and plans to keep his spending below $500. friendsofthane.tk

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WES GULLETT, 49.

Married to Deb Gullett. Three children: Kelly, Katie and Nikki.Founding partner of FirstStrategic Communications and Public Affairs, which does lobbying, strategic-planning and public-policy work. Former member of the Phoenix Planning Commission, served as chief of staff to Gov. Fife Symington and worked for U.S. Sen. John McCain. Launched a "Listening Tour" last fall to start meeting residents and develop policy agendas. Gullett's team started "Wednesday for Wes," hosting a weekly special activity or call to action on Facebook or other social-media channel to get people involved in his campaign. wesgullett.com/

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CLAUDE MATTOX, 57.

Mattox has lived in west Phoenix with his wife, Sherri, since 1979. Vice president of National Western Vistas Real Estate. Started his first four-year term on City Council in 2000, serving District 5, which covers Maryvale and parts of west and central Phoenix. Mattox has banked the most money in fundraising efforts and has cash left over from his last council campaign, but he also started the earliest. Mattox launched an exploratory committee in fall 2009. Mattox recently won the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona. www.mattoxformayor.com/

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PEGGY NEELY, 52.

Married to Brian Neely with two daughters, Gloria and Mackenzie.A real-estate broker who owned Arizona Home Team. First elected to City Council for District 2 in 2001. Served as chair of the Paradise Valley Village Planning Committee and recently was chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council. Neely resigned her City Council seat in April to run for mayor. She has been holding "visioning sessions" to meet voters and, in January, netted more than $125,000 in a single fundraiser. peggyneelyexploratory.com/

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GREG STANTON, 41.

Raised in west Phoenix and graduated from Cortez High School. Married to Nicole Stanton. Two children: Trevor and Violet. Former deputy state attorney general for Terry Goddard. Former Phoenix city councilman. Worked for Quarles & Brady. Phoenix councilman for nine years, representing District 6, which covers Arcadia, the Biltmore area and Ahwatukee. Focusing on field work and mobilizing on a grass-roots level. On the weekend of March 11, volunteers collected signatures at First Friday. They gathered more than 2,000 signatures in four days. Stanton launched his campaign at a restored Phoenix warehouse downtown to highlight his focus on historic preservation. greg2011.com/

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JENNIFER WRIGHT, 36.

Wright is an attorney and is married with two young children. Born and raised in Phoenix, she launched her bid for mayor at a meeting of the Original North Phoenix Tea Party. Although the city race is nonpartisan, many of the Tea Party organizations in Phoenix have backed her for mayor. Wright said that as mayor, she would focus on three areas: "jobs and opportunity, safety and security, and fiscal responsibility." Wright has positioned herself as an outsider in the race, saying the current slate of mayoral candidates and council members are "all insiders; they all want to scratch each other's backs." Wright4Mayor.com

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ISSUES

Food taxCandidates share their views on what they would like done with Phoenix tax on food.Public-safety surveyCandidates share which recommendations in the study, if any, the city should pursue.City managerPhoenix mayoral candidates evaluate City Manager David Cavazos.Immigration Arizona's immigration law was crafted by legislators, but it made waves with city policymakers.JobsCandidates for mayor discuss how they would create jobs in Phoenix. EducationThe mayor doesn't oversee schools, but candidates discuss how they'll improve education. NeighborhoodsResidents are thinking about issues such as how foreclosures, lower property values and blight are impacting their neighborhoods. Tax subsidiesThe CityNorth development hasn't become the hub of economic development it was first envisioned to be.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Food tax

Facing a more than $270 million general-fund budget shortfall in February 2010, the Phoenix City Council approved an emergency 2 percent temporary tax on food.

Officials in favor of the food tax said it was necessary to keep libraries from shuttering, prevent public-safety layoffs and save other programs and services. The food tax, approved after the public was given 24 hours' notice that the council was voting on the matter, has come under fire after elected officials questioned the city's plans to grant nearly $30 million in raises and bonuses for city employees for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Employees took 3.2 percent pay cuts expected to save Phoenix $104 million over two years.

The food tax is estimated to raise $50 million annually until it expires in 2015. The Phoenix City Council in September is scheduled to study whether to repeal the tax. Today, The Arizona Republic asks mayoral candidates their stances on the food tax and what they would cut from the city budget if they are in favor of repealing the tax. Election day is Aug. 30, and the last day to register to vote is Aug. 1.

"We must repeal the food tax immediately. I have offered a government-reform plan that will reduce the cost of government by $50 million, and that savings will go towards eliminating the food tax. Savings will come from pension reform, renegotiation of labor contracts, outsourcing of the city's elections department and consolidating city elections to even-number years to eliminate the cost of having stand-alone city elections."

Mattox voted in favor of the tax and said he's happy to see it under review. "When it passed, the city was in dire need of revenue to keep services the public had repeatedly told us were important to them over many years of budget hearings. Since then, we've identified numerous efficiencies and have secured a more stable financial position. . . . If the decision is to rescind the tax, we will ask for the public's input on where to cut. The fact that continues to be ignored in this conversation is that all but two cities in Maricopa County already charged a food tax; Phoenix did not initiate a new tax."

Neely voted against the food tax, saying how it was handled was "totally wrong" because the public was only given 24 hours' notice. Neely said she would move to repeal the food tax as mayor. "Pay raises have been kept while services like pool services, after-school programs and other items have been cut." Neely said she would make up for the loss in food-tax revenue "through zero-based budgeting, finding efficiencies within all departments, regionalization of public services and other cost savings."

"I was not on the council when the 2 percent temporary food tax was instituted. Consistent with my actions while on the council, any requests for general-fund increases should have been put on ballot for voters to decide. That would allow us to have an open and transparent dialogue with the people of the city, and gets community buy-in to policies in City Hall. The mayor and council should remove the temporary food tax as soon as it becomes economically responsible to do so."

Wright is in favor of repealing the food tax, saying she'd find savings by cutting "management bloat," increasing outsourcing and managed competition and finding efficiencies in the budget by soliciting ideas from "rank-and-file" employees. Wright said it's especially important to cut extra middle management, saying there is one manager for every six line employees in Phoenix.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Public-safety study

In April, Phoenix officials received a report they commissioned from an independent firm reviewing ways to streamline the Police Department and make it more efficient. The $169,000 "innovation and efficiency review" suggested the city could downsize its force of patrol officers and move to eight-hour shifts instead of 10-hours shifts. Some elected officials, including Mayor Phil Gordon, received the report with skepticism and dismissed some of its findings.

The Arizona Republic asked mayoral candidates to discuss which recommendations in the study, if any, the city should pursue. Election day is Aug. 30, and the last day to register to vote is Aug. 1.

Anna Brennan

"This report outlined specific steps of how to restructure our police force to make better use of taxpayer dollars, while still maintaining the safety of the city. This study cited that we have an excess of 714 police officers. I believe that if elected officials' credibility is going to be maintained, we must honestly consider and implement the findings of the comprehensive report."

Wes Gullett

Gullett said all of the recommendations in the study should be considered and further studied internally. "Data-driven community policing is important to continue the reduction in crime rates in Phoenix. The study suggests significant savings by moving to an eight-hour workday instead of the current 10- hour workday. This recommendation must be considered very carefully."

Claude Mattox

As chairman of the Public Safety and Veterans Subcommittee, Mattox asked police and city management to create work groups evaluating the study and come back to the subcommittee with realistic plans for implementing as many of them as possible. "I believe this study provides us with a great opportunity to evaluate how we can police Phoenix more effectively without compromising the safety of our residents or the safety of our officers."

Peggy Neely

As a councilwoman last year, Neely pushed for efficiency studies across the city including police, fire, courts, and the water department. Neely has many of her own public-safety recommendations, such as dispatching social workers instead of police officers when appropriate, improving officer accountability by requiring patrol officers to carry business cards with badge numbers and supervisors' contact information, and moving to transitional response vehicles of smaller response teams for medical emergencies.

Greg Stanton

Each recommendation needs to be reviewed carefully, he said, though he supports many findings including civilianizing the Centralized Booking Unit to prevent highly trained and skilled officers from doing work civilians can do. He also supports returning to five eight-hour shifts for all non-patrol officers, especially those in desk jobs. He also supports "increasing the supervisory span of control to no fewer than seven wherever possible, since this is standard squad size" and says supervisors should regularly get out from behind desks to do street work.

Jennifer Wright

"We need to carefully review the efficiency study and implement ways to get more uniformed officers on the streets, and less behind the desks. One prime example would be the fact that we use uniformed police officers to tend parking meters."

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: City manager

City Manager David Cavazos has held Phoenix's most powerful non-elected position for nearly two years, steering the city through a recession, a change in police management and contentious budget cycles. The Arizona Republic asked candidates for Phoenix mayor to rate Cavazos' performance as part of its ongoing election coverage. Election day in Phoenix is Aug. 30, and the last day to register to vote is Aug. 1.

Anna Brennan

In light of the current $29 million merit and longevity raises (and bonuses), I am disappointed in Mr. Cavazos' performance as city manager. His character has been called into question too often, and he has raised fees and taxes to balance the budget, putting more burden on the taxpayers. This, and his lack of communication skills, has caused division in the city.

Wes Gullett

We need much more transparency in city government, at every level, from the website to the timing and content of public meetings. While the City Manager has worked hard to find efficiencies, he has created several controversies that would have been avoidable if there had been more transparency and accountability. The City Council has not forced the City Manager to be as accountable as he should be. For example, the City Manager has not moved quickly enough to replace the Police Chief, arguably the single most important position in the whole of city government. For this alone, I would give the City Manager a C-.

Claude Mattox

Overall, I believe David Cavazos has done a very good job as Phoenix City Manager. He's been placed in a position where he has had to make very difficult decisions during tough economic times. When he took the position, we were in arguably the worse economic environment for a city manager to take over, and yet we have a balanced budget today. That takes hard work. David Cavazos takes a lot of criticism, but I haven't forgotten that he asked city employees to take a 3.2 percent pay decrease over two years, and the employees conceded.

Peggy Neely

Cavazos has been able to use short-term fixes to solve budget problems, but the city still needs to make more structural changes. From the water rate increase to the employee pay raises, he has consistently put the Council and the Mayor in a difficult public position by not adequately communicating the details within the budget process to a wider and more public audience. This behavior does not build public confidence, it undermines it.

Greg Stanton

David Cavazos is relatively new to his position, and he's made tough and important decisions, but he needs to do a better job of openness and public communications. Recently, this was an issue around the city budget. All public meetings should be televised and live-streamed on the internet and we should be using social media, not just as a method of disseminating information, but of receiving feedback as well. Additionally, all city documents should be as online-accessible as possible and public meetings must be held in the evening when working people can attend.

Jennifer Wright

I am concerned about his lack of commitment to provide information to the City Council and to the public. For instance, citizens and city council members should not have to make special appointments to see the line-item budget. This information can and should be readily available online. Under my administration, the City Manager will be required and held accountable to open, transparent governance and management of city functions.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Immigration

Although Arizona's tough immigration law, Senate Bill 1070, was crafted by state legislators, it made waves among city policymakers.

Mayor Phil Gordon thrust Phoenix into the debate after coming out in opposition to the bill, asking the Phoenix City Council to consider using city resources for a lawsuit that would bar the state from implementing the bill. Boycotts have led to millions of dollars in losses for facilities in the city such as the Phoenix Convention Center and the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Hotel.

As part of The Arizona Republic's election coverage, we asked mayoral candidates what role Phoenix has in supporting or opposing SB 1070. Early ballots for the council and mayoral election go out Aug. 4, and the election is Aug. 30.

Anna Brennan

The city and the state should work together. I would collaborate more with the governor to move forward on this issue and to put a halt to all the politicizing. I would call for a meeting uniting the heads of business communities, the surrounding city mayors and the different minority groups that have been so passionate about this issue. The group would brainstorm to come up with a viable solution. I would unite other large cities' leaders, exploring the feasibility of these solutions. As a united front, we would present these solutions to the federal government.

Wes Gullett

The city should provide facts to the Legislature when they are considering legislation that will impact how the city provides services to the community. Once the Legislature and the governor pass legislation, it is the city's responsibility to enforce the laws of Arizona. Phoenix should not be a sanctuary city.

Claude Mattox

The city is required to adopt and enforce all constitutional laws and regulations of the state of Arizona, which we have done. The federal government has made it clear that immigration enforcement is their responsibility and not that of state or local governments. So, the role of the city in this issue is straightforward: The Phoenix City Council, in partnership with the Phoenix Police Department, is called to keep our city safe for all of our residents while honoring the legal obligations required of us by the state of Arizona and the federal government.

Peggy Neely

We should expect the city to uphold and enforce all state laws, including SB 1070, as efficiently and effectively as possible. While I have concerns about any legislation that may come with unfunded mandates, as a public servant, I am committed to upholding the law. Phoenix should be using its influence as a leader in the Southwest to do more to demand border security and enforce our immigration laws. I will work with the governor, mayors and others to demand that the federal government do its job to ensure that our border is secure.

Greg Stanton

The role of the city is not to support or oppose SB 1070 but to enforce the rule of law. I am the only candidate with law-enforcement experience, cracking down on border crime and the Mexican drug cartels, and I'm the only candidate for mayor who is actually endorsed by Arizona's Border Patrol officers. I will take a smart, comprehensive approach to dealing with illegal immigration. I am also the candidate endorsed by Congressman Ed Pastor and City Councilman Michael Nowakowski. In a city that celebrates its diversity, a mayor who can pull all sides together and get the job done is what we need.

Jennifer Wright

As a city, we have an obligation to enforce all laws passed by the legislature. We shouldn't pick and choose laws to enforce. Our city will be safest when we eliminate written and unwritten city policies that promote us as a "sanctuary city." Criminal offenders whose immigration status cannot be ascertained must be turned over to ICE immediately. Furthermore, police officers need a clear understanding and direction on enforcement procedures. Right now, police officers are fearful of retaliation and internal investigations for enforcing the rule of law. This is dangerous and unfair to our community and to our officers who are putting their lives on the line to protect us.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Jobs

Last week, the state Department of Administration reported that Arizona's unemployment rate increased from 9.1 percent in May to 9.3 percent in June. The result was a net loss of 57,200 jobs. As part of The Arizona Republic's ongoing election coverage, we ask candidates for mayor how they would create jobs in Phoenix. Here is an excerpt of their answers.

» Meet with local business leaders and reach out to local and national banks, including the three with which Phoenix does its banking, to ensure they invest in our community.

» Fund an online "one-stop shop" where business owners can find regulations and information pertaining to their business.

» Cut red tape and cumbersome regulations and lower the tax burden. Self-certification would be available for non-public-safety items, such as landscaping and home remodels.

» Collaborate with surrounding cities, Gov. Jan Brewer and the media to come up with a strategic plan that would put Arizona in the driver's seat regarding immigration reform; our image needs to be addressed.

Wes Gullett, wesgullett.com

» Make Phoenix the small-business and entrepreneurial capital of America based on a Seven Point Jobs Plan, available at wesgullett.com.

» Cut the red tape, permitting fees and time it takes for small businesses to get approvals from the city.

» Create a Small Business Development Advocate in the Office of the Mayor who will work with small businesses that are starting and expanding.

» Demand that the city buy locally and enhance the local preference policy so that it is no longer just window dressing but actually gives significant advantages to local firms.

» Ensure that the city has banking relationships with financial institutions that are committed to investing money in Phoenix businesses.

Claude Mattox, claudmattox .com

» Streamline the process for bringing career jobs here by making regulations more business-friendly without compromising Phoenix's quality of life.

» Locate a business school downtown to produce a ready workforce to meet the needs of growing companies and provide continuing education opportunities for businesses that are looking for training to achieve greater financial success.

» Create a Regional Business Council umbrella organization for proactive economic development. This council would assemble organizations and business leaders along with the Phoenix Economic Development Office to focus on attracting the jobs.

Peggy Neely, peggyneely .com

» Reach out to business owners on a regular basis to make sure that the city is a help, not a hindrance, to doing business.

» Focus on the city as a whole and each of its diverse regions, not just downtown. Create an approach for business development that clearly outlines the businesses and opportunities that would best fit each area of the city.

» Think big and explore opportunities such as transforming Phoenix into a major industrial and shipping hub. Phoenix should take the lead in fostering a Mexican deep-water port alternative to Los Angeles, allowing goods to be shipped to Phoenix for distribution across the country. Mexico is Arizona's No. 1 trading partner. Efforts such as this and others should be implemented to strengthen that relationship.

» Work closely with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to attract high-wage industries including aerospace, bioscience, health care, high-tech, solar and sustainability industries.

» Focus on local and small-business growth, with the complete plan at greg2011.com. Encourage local investment with the city leading the way. Ensure an open line of communication between local business owners and the mayor. Make it easier to open and operate a new small business. Invest in organizations that foster the growth and development of small and local businesses. Use creative strategies to support startup companies.

» Identify 20 businesses stuck in development services that can be fast-tracked.

» Retool the Development Services Department to get small businesses off the ground quicker.

» Do a comprehensive audit of city codes that are restricting business growth and development and see what regulations can be eliminated or put on hold.

» Meet with business leaders in Phoenix to make sure the city retains the employers we do have. Identify what is making it hard for them to do business in Phoenix.

» Market Phoenix to California businesses that are leaving in droves by highlighting business opportunities here.

» Resolve issues with transportation of raw materials to large corporations and the transportation of finished goods to make sure we have train routes that move products to ports of call and to major population centers across the country.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Education

School boards and the state superintendent oversee schools. Yet many candidates for Phoenix mayor have talked about how they'll improve education and make schools a priority if elected.

As part of The Republic's ongoing election coverage, we asked candidates what role they think the mayor has in Phoenix education and what their policy plans are.

Anna Brennan, annabrennanformayor.com/

Although the mayor's role is not tied to education, as the mother of four, and as the mayor of the sixth-largest city in the U.S. and the largest city in Arizona, I would argue the importance of education as an essential ingredient to Phoenix's success. Education breeds success. . . . I would work with the governor to promote school choice because, after all, education should be about the child and not about the system. I would also advocate watching the documentary, "Waiting for Superman." For anyone who is serious about education, this movie is a must. Phoenix would have greater private funding and taxpayer support if waste was addressed and measurable results were expected.

Wes Gullett, wesgullett.com

A strong education system is a major element of a strong city and economy. The city must partner with the school districts within Phoenix to reduce administrative costs through joint purchasing of goods and services, consolidation of districts where appropriate, and by expanding services like afterschool programs. By engaging with our school districts in this way, we can increase the resources going to classrooms and students. We must work closely with our most challenged inner-city school districts to increase third-grade reading levels and high school graduation rates.

Claude Mattox, claudmattox.com

Quality schools are essential to ensure . . . strong neighborhoods, retain and grow local businesses or attract the career jobs our city needs as it continues to grow economically. I'm committed to being a champion for our local schools by:

- Working to establish neighborhood volunteer groups who will watch their neighborhoods while kids walk to and from school to make sure students are safe.

- Supporting afterschool programs that focus on both academics and recreation. Opening schools to neighborhood and community service groups will allow the educational centers of our neighborhoods to once again be the hubs of proud neighborhoods.

- Establishing a School Leaders Cabinet comprised of school superintendents, board members, teachers, student leaders, neighborhood leaders and business leaders to meet quarterly.

- Continuing the Student Resource Officer program by staffing the SRO program with retired officers that are part of the auxiliary program.

Peggy Neely, peggyneely.com

If we are to attract sustainable business and investment to Phoenix, we must offer quality K-12 education for their families and university education that produces highly trained and skilled workforce to fill their needs. I would:

- Promote academic innovation and competitive education. We must foster and encourage choices in public education to boost competition and build an abundant, talented workforce to attract business.

- Support quality university education. We must capitalize on our higher education opportunities building on our relationships with local universities and actively attracting other institutions to locate in Phoenix.

Greg Stanton, Greg2011.com

As mayor I will:

- Create a Mayor's Education Roundtable where the public and private sector are brought together to consider best practices for improving public education.

- Ensure that Phoenix schools get their fair share of the education tax credit. I will call on each locally headquartered company in the city and ask them to offer employees a payroll deduction to support Phoenix schools. The employees get this money back at the end of the year in the form of a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.

- Fight to fully fund Head Start. Research shows that the single biggest return on investment on any public expenditure is early childhood education.

- Improve our after school programs and make them more curriculum based in math and science.

- Use bond dollars for STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) by creating small high schools

- Increase the number of college depots across the city. Restore the Phoenix Education office and have a full-time education advocate in the mayor's office.

- Invest in higher education in Phoenix.

- Transform public schools into community education centers that become acore of activity and learning even after the school day ends.

Jennifer Wright, Wright4mayor.com

Unfortunately, the biggest problems we have with schools are the administrative make-up of our schools. As mayor, I have no authority to address that problem. What I can do is make sure that the city does not get in the way of charter school development in regards to delays in zoning and permitting. I can also be an active role model to students as to how someone who moved out at the age of 14 could end up more than two decades later becoming mayor of Phoenix. Finally, I will make sure that Community Centers throughout Phoenix are opened up to community groups to provide services to our youth. I firmly believe that non-profits, churches, and neighborhood groups are better equipped to help communities, and I intend on supporting those organizations to help our children succeed.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Neighborhoods

While job creation and economic development are top-of-mind for many Phoenix voters during this year's mayoral campaign, residents also are thinking about issues hitting closer to home, such as how foreclosures, lower property values and blight are impacting their neighborhoods.

Much of the support Phoenix receives for community development and social services comes from the federal government, but that money is quickly disappearing as legislators in Washington, D.C., tackle the nation's budget problems.

As part of The Republic's ongoing election coverage, we ask candidates for mayor what they would do to maintain healthy neighborhoods as federal support dwindles. Election day is Aug. 30.

Anna Brennan, annabrennanformayor.com

I suggest that non-profits work together and put forth one proposal. Funding would be awarded on performance and effectiveness. Hard numbers would be evaluated on a yearly basis. Newark, New Jersey, has a program where residents lease vacant lots for one dollar per year. These lots are used for vegetable or flower gardens, and they promote a sense of community as well as neighborhood beautification, eliminating urban blight. (Any excess staff or freed-up resources resulting from reorganization in the police department) could be out walking the neighborhoods, creating a sense of community. Community cohesiveness is a great deterrent to crime, and it restores trust and pride in our city.

Wes Gullett, wesgullett.com

Great cities have great neighborhoods, and Phoenix has incredible neighborhoods. First, they must be safe in order to be healthy. We must expand our commitment to community policing. We must also concentrate crime enforcement on more-challenged neighborhoods. Second, I will work with our challenged neighborhoods to use the best practices of successful neighborhoods to increase neighborhood vibrancy. I will also use the savings from my government-reform plan to invest in after-school programs, park enhancement and keeping swimming pools open longer.

Claude Mattox, claudemattox.com

»Focus on law and order in our neighborhoods continuing the positive crime-rate-reduction trend. By working with public safety and organized neighborhood groups, my goal is to build strong neighborhoods that fill their residents with a sense of safety, pride and a desire for long-term ownership.

»Prioritize building strong communications networks with neighborhood public-safety quarterly meetings. By including block watches and neighborhood associations, precinct commanders, community-action officers and beat-patrol officers, we can identify problems specific to individual neighborhoods and work toward solutions.

»Establish a neighborhood mayor's cabinet comprised of neighborhood leaders throughout the city. This cabinet will meet quarterly to network and communicate about communitywide issues and challenges. These meetings will move around the city in order to build greater awareness of all of Phoenix for all involved. Working with local colleges, I will establish a neighborhood-leader training and certification program for those who want to be involved in this important task force.

»Encourage the expansion of revitalization corporations throughout the city using Sunnyslope Alliance, Maryvale Revitalization and Phoenix Revitalization as models.

Peggy Neely, peggyneely.com

»Community policing: I want to work with our police and fire departments to encourage their officers and firefighters to stay engaged in the community as a way to build public safety. Officers should work with a neighborhood and attend a block watch. By engaging in community-based policing, the police department's role will continue to have a direct impact on improving the quality of life for each resident.

»Neighborhood advocate: I will designate a position on the mayor's staff that will be a clearinghouse for neighborhood issues affecting the city. This person would interact with city departments to make sure neighborhood concerns are heard and factored into any decisions that are designed to improve the city.

»Neighborhood and business cooperation: Part of strengthening neighborhoods is understanding what leads to decline. Business and industry being chased away leads to more vacancies in strip shopping centers and malls, reducing jobs and revenue and displacing homeowners who lose their jobs. This does not do anything to strengthen neighborhoods. Strong neighborhoods can and should be compatible with strong business and industry.

Greg Stanton, greg2011.com

»We are one city, one neighborhood. Nothing will establish that concept more permanently than the full implementation of the "broken windows" unified policing and prosecution policy (known locally as "require the prior"). This policy, which targets the quality-of-life crimes such as repeat misdemeanor and graffiti, turned New York City around in the '90s and was a catalyst for the successful economic and neighborhood revitalization that continues to the present day.

»I will invite the neighborhood leaders from around the city to town-hall meetings where they can meet each other, listen and better understand the unique neighborhood challenges, share solutions and identify areas where pooling resources will allow us to move to the next level.

»Residents should have access to their fair share of city services including housing-rehabilitation programs, hardship-assistance programs and home-maintenance-training programs.

»I will work with the council to hold banks responsible for maintaining foreclosed properties and make sure that we are committed to upholding land-use policies that protect residential areas, even as we welcome both new and redevelopment in our commercial sector.

Jennifer Wright, wright4mayor.com

We need to empower community groups, non-profits agencies and churches to work hand-in-hand within their communities to maintain healthy neighborhoods. All federal money comes with purse strings that condition the use of the money. The non-profits, the community groups and churches are closer to the problem and have a great understanding on how to solve these problems. I would encourage partnerships between businesses and individuals with these fantastic organizations to work to solve these problems unrestrained from federal mandates.

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Phoenix mayoral race issue: Tax subsidies

While the CityNorth development hasn't become the hub of economic development it was first envisioned to be, it is a big campaign issue in the mayoral and City Council elections.

Three members of the City Council running for re-election asked the Law Department to see what it would take to revoke the economic-development agreement, which provides the project with half the sales tax collected for 11 years and 3 months or $97.4 million maximum. The project has to open 2 million square feet of tax-generating retail space and parking garages to take effect, but neither has happened.

As part of The Republic's ongoing election coverage, we ask candidates how they feel about using subsidies as a tool for economic development.

Anna Brennan, annabrennanformayor.com

I believe that giving subsidies to attract larger companies hurts local business by having to assess higher taxes to those already in business. Giving elected officials the ability to invest tax dollars, in the form of subsidies, is a dangerous gamble. It allows for our mayor, or our council members, to pick winners and losers in industries in which they may have no expertise, like the debacle, CityNorth, in which Peggy Neely was involved. Additionally, it can create suspicion and be a divisive force between government and taxpayers and among the mayor and council. If we do not want politics as usual, this type of gambling has to be eliminated.

Wes Gullett, wesgullett.com

Tax and development incentives should be available based on a standard job-creation formula so that policy makers are not picking winners and losers. The CityNorth subsidy is an example of picking winners and losers and why it doesn't work. By having a standard formula for the application of incentives, potential investors will know that Phoenix means business and is a business-friendly city.

Claude Mattox, claudmattox .com

Subsidies should be a tool in our economic-development toolbox, but we should be cognizant they can be abused, and we should be careful in our consideration of their use. I think the most helpful thing we can do to bolster economic development through business growth is to streamline processes and reduce restrictions that prevent companies and small businesses from multiplying and thriving in Phoenix's unique economic environment.

Peggy Neely, peggyneely.com

Phoenix has a long history of using many different tools in the economic-development toolbox. Reimbursement for infrastructure is one way to help accomplish specific goals that help maximize the economic potential for the city - such as efforts to increase density, premier opportunities that will attract development and other unique cases. As long as Phoenix has so many undeveloped areas of state trust land, reimbursement for infrastructure will be a necessary tool.

Greg Stanton, greg2011.com

Handing out unnecessary incentives doesn't make any sense for the long-term economic growth of Phoenix. It sends the wrong message about our strength and ability to compete with other regions. That is why I voted against the CityNorth giveaway. This was a $97 million subsidy for a suburban shopping-mall parking garage that did nothing to develop our economy or bring sustainable jobs to our city. I am the only mayoral candidate who had the strength to stand firm and say no. We need smarter economic incentives. I do support smart incentives for:

»Employers who will create or relocate jobs to Phoenix that would pay 125 percent of the city's median wage.

I am against subsidies and would rather lower the costs of all businesses to do business in Phoenix. Subsidies have a twofold problem:

1. The city is picking winners and losers when it gives subsidies. In doing so, we create businesses that are "too big to fail" - a recent example of this is the Coyotes. While that is a Glendale issue, we can see how we have created a monster by first subsidizing their move here and then our need to further subsidize it to remain in our state.

2. The subsidies do not create business certainty. The subsidies are usually only good for moving here and a few years after. Businesses need to see that long- term costs to do business in Phoenix are affordable. Businesses plan years and sometimes decades out. We need to make sure that the licensing, permitting and development fees are affordable in the first instance and that taxes are not overly burdensome - particularly property taxes. And we need to make sure city services, such as water, are not doubling in short periods of time.